Diamonds Are Forever by India Lee Page B

setting of their Sunday meal.  Among the pastel-dressed women and children, Gemma felt even guiltier about the thoughts that were plaguing her – that had been plaguing her for over a week.  She could honestly say that her mind had never before conjured up so many damned fantasies in a single week.  It was embarrassing, even when no one knew about them except herself.
    “Care to expand on that?” Leah asked.  “It’s probably not in your best interest to just leave us here with no explanation.”
    “You’re not a pervert, Gem,” Kate said, her tone serious.  “You’re a good person.”
    Gemma tipped her flute back, emptying the contents of her drink down her throat.  How much of this do you actually want to share? She eyed Leah and Kate’s expressions, wondering what they were thinking as she allowed the silence to linger.
    “I’m going to start guessing if you keep us hanging,” Leah said, her tone threatening.  “And you know where my dirty mind can go.”
    “It’s not even that bad… I don’t think,” Gemma said.  Leah was expecting something big now.  “It’s actually kind of stupid.  And boring.”  She bit her lip.
    “You suggested role-playing to Corey,” Leah said.  “And his boring ass thinks that’s some kind of deviant thing.  Right? Because it’s not.”
    “Leah, no,” Gemma said, giving her an odd look.
    “Something about a weird sex toy?”
    “What? No.”
    “Oh my God, freaking say it then already.”
    “ Okay .” Gemma folded her napkin and smoothing it across her lap.  “Okay, so.  I’ve been trying my hand at menswear lately.  And last week…” She looked at Leah and Kate’s inquiring expressions.  “Last week, this man came in and asked for a custom suit.”
    “Oh, that’s so nice Gemma! More clients!” Kate exclaimed.  Leah directed a violent shush in her direction.
    “Continue,” Leah said, rolling her hand in a forward motion.
    “Okay, well.  While I was measuring him…” Gemma trailed off, furrowing her brows.
    “Oh my God, no,” Leah held her hands up in front of her.  “Gemma, no! Copping a feel is totally against the law, you can get in so much trouble for that!”
    “ Leah! ” Gemma exclaimed, her eyes wide as she stared at her friend.  “What is wrong with you? That’s not what happened.”
    “Oh, thank God,” Leah replied, patting her brow.  “I mean, I know I’m a little on the wild side, but I can’t really condone that.”
    “Leah, she’s a professional,” Kate scolded.  “How could you even suggest that?”
    “So what the hell even happened?” Leah scoffed.  “That would deserve this kind of buildup and fanfare? It can’t be that bad.”
    “I guess, I don’t know… I think I just kind of got, like…” Gemma stuttered, her lashes fluttering as she tried to complete her sentence.  “I felt kind of weird, like… I think I got sort of…”
    “Turned on?” Leah raised her eyebrows.  Gemma stared back, blankly.
    “Well, yes,” she shrugged.
    “That’s it?” Leah laughed.  “That’s your story? And you consider yourself a perv? Gemma, please! Don’t feel bad about that.  I mean, if I were a guy, I’d be running around Manhattan with a raging boner all day.”
    “Leah,” Kate scrunched up her nose.
    “Oh, stop acting like a prim and proper socialite, you’re not married to Mitchell yet,” Leah said, swatting at her.  “Besides, you win the title for Perv of all Pervs, just in case you don’t remember what a little creeper you were in high school.”
    “I was not!” Kate protested, pouting.  “I was just… a bit deprived of things.  And I guess I expressed it in a socially awkward way.”
    “Aw, no,” Gemma gave Kate a sympathetic frown, patting her on the shoulder.  “That’s not true.  And it doesn’t even matter now because things are going well with Mitchell!”
    “Right, and congratulations on that whole thing, Kate, but seriously, Gem,” Leah said.  “Just